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Department of Justice Press Release
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For Immediate Release
June 10, 2009
United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Pennsylvania
Contact: (412) 644-3500

Two Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud Banks

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, June 10, 2009, that Richard A. Raspatello of Kersey, Pennsylvania and Joshua Z. Atwell, of Warren, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

The one‑count indictment named Raspatello, age 54, and Atwell, age 22, as defendants.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Raspatello and Atwell conspired to defraud financial institutions on numerous occasions throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of thirty years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.